If you’re wondering why everyone on the internet is cucumber-crazed and eating out of reusable plastic take-out containers, it’s all thanks to the leader of the ‘Cucumber Community’ and TikToker, Logan Moffitt AKA @logagm, who started the cucumber trend with the belief that “sometimes you just need to eat a whole cucumber.”

Since the TikTok was posted last month (8 July 2024), the original post and more cucumber recipes have gone viral. The initial recipe, which has caught the attention of food lovers across the globe, depicts Moffitt slicing an entire cucumber over a takeout plastic container using a mandoline — do not try this at home, unless you’re experienced.

The recently popular content creator also adds a dash of soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, ‘a lot of sesame oil,’ grated garlic, chopped spring onion, and sesame seeds to the container. After shaking the contents to evenly coat the cucumbers, Moffitt tucks into his creations with a set of silver chopsticks, sometimes even drinking the remaining juices with a metal straw.

The Cucumber Trend

Besides cucumber, there’s another ingredient that Moffitt consistently incorporates in his viral recipes — “MSG, obviously!” — a catchphrase fans eagerly anticipate.

It seems Moffitt and many food content creators are embracing the use of MSG (monosodium glutamate), an ingredient once (and still somewhat) stigmatised. David Chang and other advocates have disputed that no scientific research linking MSG to negative health effects exists. Thankfully, the supposedly ‘bad for you ingredient,’ naturally found in organic vegetables and commonly incorporated into products like meat seasoning and flavour enhancers like Maggie Liquid Sauce has experienced good PR in recent years and has since been dubbed ‘Yum Yum.’

@logagm

Best way to eat an entire cucumber

♬ original sound – Logan

As for the cucumber trend, some time has passed since Moffitt originally posted the video, but the hype certainly hasn’t died down. Forbes reported that the content creator often posts between three and four videos of cucumber salads and other recipes. Revamped recipes featuring cucumber, like tzatziki, bagel and egg salad-inspired cucumber, have won over the palates of Moffitt’s followers. Most have been hits, with perhaps one missing the mark… peanut butter and jelly cucumber salad — thanks, but no thanks!

Moffitt, who enjoys Asian cuisine, particularly Korean-style dishes, has gained millions of followers — up to 5 million to be exact. The content creator has also shared recipes like Watermelon Kimchi and whole tofu dishes, but it’s the cukes that have home cooks going crazy. If your local grocery store’s produce section is fresh out of cucumbers, this might be the reason.

Join the Cucumber Community

We doubt there’s anyone who loves cucumbers more than ‘The Cucumber Guy,’ but if you want to get in on the cucumber trend, this delicious Cucumber Ribbon Salad with Caramelised Feta & Green Yoghurt Dressing might be for you. It’s refreshing, zingy, garlicky, and the perfect side for braaied lamb chops or spicy chicken thighs.

GET THE RECIPE

Everyone knows that cucumber tastes great in salads, but have you ever tried cooking cucumber? What’s your take – is it clever or criminal?